Guernsey's 'Barnacle Bill' to receive Condor and Royal Navy escort to calmer home waters

A loggerhead turtle that has been resident in Guernsey for the past year has finally found a permanent home at a UK aquarium.

Barnacle Bill, a young loggerhead turtle, washed up on Guernsey's coast last November during Storm Ciarán.

A species typically found in the Mediterranean, the lost turtle was taken in by the GSPCA and the charity has cared for her ever since.

The group has had difficulty finding Bill a new permanent home and has spent almost a year grappling with the necessary paperwork for her release.

Plans included sending Bill to several places with warmer climates, including Gran Canaria, Cape Verde, Turkey, Bermuda, and the Azores.

In the end, she will be staying a little closer to her Channel Island temporary home at Brighton's Sea Life Aquarium.

Bill will participate in Sea Life's turtle rehabilitation programme before receiving an escort from the Royal Navy to her home waters.

Condor Ferries are also providing free transport to Brighton.

Steve Byrne, manager at the GSPCA, says the group is delighted that Bill is headed to calmer waters.

He says: "Barnacle Bill has been with us for over 13 months. In that time, from just over 700g, she has now hit an amazing 3.8kgs.

"She has also grown over 6 inches in length and is now over 18 inches long.

"She has just arrived in the UK and will now head to Sea Life Brighton who have incredible turtle rehab facilities for a short stay, before heading with the Royal Navy when they're available to take her to her home waters."

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